SANTA CLARA – Jimmy Garoppolo can retrace his infamous steps Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium, the scene of the crime, where his season got robbed and his career trajectory suddenly became dependent on his left knee’s reconstruction.

Coach Kyle Shanahan plans to play him the first half at Kansas City, allowing Garoppolo ample time to rediscover his offensive rhythm and attain any mental catharsis.

“It definitely will be a little weird getting back there,” Garoppolo said Thursday, “but I’m just trying to treat it like a normal game.”
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

It’s the dress-rehearsal exhibition, and it’s a chance to atone for last week’s rickety debut that was so roundly panned.

Where was the pocket confidence? Did the pass rush truly prevent him from stepping into throws? Was he worried Preseason No. 2 would be The End for his left knee?

“Any time you come back from injury, there are a bunch of mental hurdles you’ve got to get over, even when you’re healthy and feel good,” Shanahan said.

“I’m sure there is some stuff with it just being eerie going back to that same place,” Shanahan added, “but I haven’t talked to him specifically about it.”
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 22: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks during a press conference on Aug. 22, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

If he has mental barriers, he isn’t acknowledging them, at least in their current existence.

“Initially after it happened, you try to replay it all in your head and what you’d do differently and everything like that,” Garoppolo said. “It’s come up a couple times, but I think I’m past that at this point.”

It’s been 11 months since he scrambled left, lost traction with his right foot, shifted his weight to his left leg and crumpled upon impact with a Chiefs in desperate pursuit of a fourth-quarter comeback.

Garoppolo’s 5-0, king-is-born debut in December 2017 put him atop the 49ers pedestal. Last season started with humble hiccups. Then came Week 3 at Arrowhead.

Garoppolo left there on a cart. Now he can amble back in, revisit the flashpoint of his catastrophic injury (about the 10-yard line on the 49ers side) and face his past.

His goal upon returning, at least publicly, is not to gain personal solace but rather team-driven efficiency. He sure did not achieve either in Monday’s cameo (1-of-6, 0 yards, one interception, one near pick-six, two passes deflected).

General manager John Lynch last week called Garoppolo’s recovery “flawless.” Monday night did not dispel that from a health standpoint, but it din’t help with the overall optics that sparked skepticism.

“Throughout my entire football career, there’s always going to be that noise and everything, but you just have to block it out,” Garoppolo said. “We have so much going on in our meetings and the locker room, you’re just trying to take all that in that if you start worrying about the outside noise, you’ve got no chance at being successful. It’s just staying mentally strong and just doing what we do.”

How has Garoppolo dealt with criticism for the first time in his 49ers career?

“Jimmy’s not a guy who is out all the time and really wanting to read about himself,” Shanahan said. “He’s a veryhumble guy and has the right personality. But he’s also human, too. … The strong people survive in this league.”
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 22: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks during a press conference on Aug. 22, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Teammates said Garoppolo didn’t need any consoling Monday night.

“Obviously he’s disappointed and wanted to go 6-for-6 with two touchdown passes. But that’s not the way it goes,” left tackle Joe Staley said. “He’s a competitor. I know when I do bad I don’t need somebody to tell me I messed up. He’s the same way.

“We have 100 percent belief in him and he’s going to do great.”

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon added: “When you have a guy who hasn’t played in a year, he’s going to be rusty. … We’re not even worried about him. Really.”

— KITTLE RETURNS: Tight end George Kittle practiced after sitting out last week’s sessions with a “sliight” calf pull. “I get to do some stuff today. It’s going to be exciting,” Kittle said. Ever conscious of his fantasy football coaches, Kittle said of the upcoming season: “I’ll be ready guys. Don’t worry about it.”

— MATTHEWS PRAISED: Veteran Jordan Matthews is in a closely contested battle at wide receiver, and Shanahan gave him a vote of confidence Thursday: “Jordan’s had a hell of a camp. He’s done very good in practice, he’s been consistent in OTAs, he’s been very consistent in training camp and we’ve seen him a lot on tape before he got here. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jordan and I know we can win with Jordan.”